Packers Daily Links: 2012 Schedule Nears Completion

The Packers will play the winner of Sunday's Giants-Cowboys game in 2012, the only opponent left to be determined. That and more in today's Daily Links...

There's only one opponent left to be determined on the Packers' 2012 season schedule. "As the NFC North champion, the Packers are also scheduled to play on the road against the winner of the NFC East, and at home against NFC South winner New Orleans," reports the Green Bay Press-Gazette. So the Packers will visit the winner of Sunday night's Giants-Cowboys game next year. They will also play the entire NFC West and AFC South divisions in 2012.

Backup quarterback Matt Flynn spoke with reporters on Thursday, a couple days before he's expected to get some of his most playing time this season in the regular season finale against the Lions. "For Flynn, the opportunity is two-fold," writes Tyler Dunne of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "First, millions of dollars may be on the line. He's a free agent in March. This could be a job interview with Ndamukong Suh and Cliff Avril providing the interrogation. And also, Flynn can provide further peace of mind. He's the proverbial 'one snap away' from piloting a Super Bowl favorite, a team that has relied on its quarterback being nearly perfect." Forced to guess, I'd say the Packers play the game similar to the 2007 season finale after they locked up a first-round bye. Brett Favre started but gave way to Craig Nall after about one quarter. The same thing may happen this Sunday with Aaron Rodgers and Flynn.

More on Matt Flynn comes from the Press-Gazette, PackersNews.com and Packer Report (subscription required).

Head coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged Chad Clifton will likely get some playing time against the Lions, which begged the question what the Packers with him and Marshall Newhouse in the playoffs. "Clifton has been out since sustaining a hamstring injury in Week 5 against Atlanta," writes Bill Huber of Packer Report. "In his place, while Marshall Newhouse hasn’t been perfect by any stretch, the Packers have obliterated the franchise record for points and Aaron Rodgers is rewriting the Packers’ record book and setting some league records in the process." Who will get the start on Sunday is, as of yet, unknown.

More on Chad Clifton and Marshall Newhouse comes from the Associated PressESPNMilwaukee.com, JSOnline, the Journal Sentinel, the Press-Gazette and PackersNews.com.

Cornerback Charles Woodson spoke about the Packers defense with Fox Sports Wisconsin. "Defensively, we still have some problems," Woodson is quoted as saying by reporter Paul Imig. "We just give up way too many things on a consistent basis. We have a long way to go." Defensive lineman Ryan Pickett said they're running out of time to turn it around.

The practice regimen of the Packers and the time off they receive is analyzed by Lori Nickel of the Journal Sentinel. "During a regular work week, every Packer is required to do a weight lifting workout twice a week," writes Nickel. "Mondays are mandatory - and it is a full body lift, upper and lower. That's right, Monday, the day after they've taken all that pounding the game day before." The article goes onto examine how players will spend their down time for the first-round playoff bye.

The efficiency between quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver Jordy Nelson is touched upon by Jason Wilde of ESPNMilwaukee.com.

The Packers will rotate their outside linebackers on Sunday, according to Jason Wilde.

Tight end Jermichael Finley returned to practice Thursday after missing Wednesday, reports the Associated Press and ESPNMilwaukee.com.

Wide receiver Greg Jennings practiced on Thursday too, according to PackersNews.com and JSOnline.

The Packers have the lowdown on activities happening at Sunday's game including former player appearances, fan appreciation and some children's contest winners.

The Lions haven't won in Wisconsin in 20 years.

Packer Report tackles several issues in its Behind Enemy Lines feature (sub required).

The temporary scarcity of retail Packers jerseys gets some attention at Fox 11.

Pro Football Weekly takes a look at several Packers topics.

Video: CBS Sports previews the Packers-Lions game...

Brian Carriveau is a writer for Cheesehead TV. To contact Brian, email [email protected].

0 points
 

Comments (1)

Fan-Friendly This filter will hide comments which have ratio of 5 to 1 down-vote to up-vote.
IowaPackFan's picture

December 30, 2011 at 11:27 am

There are some great matchups next season. Saints, Giants/Cowboys, 49ers, Colts, and Texans

0 points
0
0